Want to send a cheque to Nationwide but not sure where to start? You've come to the right place! While digital payments are increasingly popular, sending a cheque by post remains a perfectly valid and secure way to deposit funds or make payments. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring your cheque reaches Nationwide safely and is processed smoothly.
Let's dive in and get that cheque on its way!
Step 1: Getting Your Cheque Ready – The Essentials
Before you even think about an envelope, the cheque itself needs to be perfectly prepared. Accuracy is key here, as mistakes can lead to delays or even rejection.
 |
| How To Post A Cheque To Nationwide |
Sub-heading 1.1: Filling Out the Cheque Correctly
This is arguably the most crucial part. A poorly filled cheque is a recipe for frustration.
- Date: In the top right-hand corner, write the current date in DD/MM/YYYY format. Avoid future-dating cheques unless specifically instructed to do so, as they won't be processed until that date.
- Payee: This is the "Pay to the order of" line.
- For depositing into your own Nationwide account: Write your full name as it appears on your Nationwide account. You can also write "Self" if the cheque is intended for your own withdrawal, but for postal deposits, using your name is generally clearer.
- For paying a third party who banks with Nationwide: Write their full name or the exact name of the organisation as it appears on their account.
- Amount in Figures: In the box on the right, write the numerical amount of the cheque (e.g., "£123.45"). Make sure to start close to the pound sign (£) and fill any remaining space with a line to prevent tampering (e.g., "£123.45-----").
- Amount in Words: On the line below the payee name, write the amount in words. Start at the very beginning of the line and end with "Only" for whole amounts (e.g., "One Hundred Twenty-Three Pounds and Forty-Five Pence Only" or "One Hundred Twenty-Three Pounds Only" if there are no pence). Again, draw a line through any remaining space to prevent alteration.
- Your Signature: This is vital! Sign the cheque clearly and consistently with the signature on file with your bank. An unsigned cheque will be rejected.
Sub-heading 1.2: Endorsing the Cheque for Nationwide
This step is often overlooked but is critical for postal deposits. On the back of the cheque, on the right-hand side only, you need to include specific details for Nationwide to process it correctly.
Tip: Skim once, study twice.
- Account Holder Name(s): Write the full name(s) of the Nationwide account holder(s) to whom the cheque should be credited.
- Your Signature: Sign the back of the cheque.
- The Date: Re-enter the date the cheque was written.
- Preferred Contact Number: Provide a contact number where Nationwide can reach you if there are any issues.
- Nationwide Sort Code and Account Number: This is essential. Write the 6-digit sort code and 8-digit account number of the Nationwide account the cheque is for. If it's a savings account, provide the full savings account number (e.g., 1234/123456789). Without these details, Nationwide may not be able to credit the cheque to the correct account.
- Important Note: Leave the left-hand side of the back of the cheque blank for Nationwide's processing.
Step 2: Completing the Nationwide Paying-in Form (Highly Recommended!)
While you can often get away with just endorsing the cheque, Nationwide provides a "Paying in cheques form" (SF341) which makes the process much smoother and reduces the chance of errors.
Sub-heading 2.1: Obtaining the Form
- Download Online: The easiest way is to download the "Paying in cheques form" directly from the Nationwide website. Search for "Nationwide paying in cheques form" or "SF341 Nationwide" on their help pages.
- Request from Branch: If you're unable to print, you might be able to pick up a form from a Nationwide branch.
Sub-heading 2.2: Filling Out the Form
The form will typically ask for:
- Account and Personal Details: Your account holder name(s), daytime contact number, account type (Current Account or Savings), sort code, and full account number.
- Your Current UK Address: Fill in your permanent UK address.
- Cheque Details: You'll have space to list the amounts of up to ten cheques.
- Enter the amount of each individual cheque.
- Calculate and enter the total number of cheques and the total value of all cheques.
- Customer Signature and Date: Don't forget to sign and date the form!
Why use the form? It provides a clear, structured way for Nationwide to identify who the cheque is from, which account it's for, and the total amount. This minimizes the risk of misplacement or delays.
Step 3: Preparing Your Envelope – Security First!
Now that your cheque and form are ready, it's time to prepare them for postage.
QuickTip: Read line by line if it’s complex.
Sub-heading 3.1: Securing Your Documents
- Do not staple the cheque to the paying-in form. A paperclip is usually sufficient to keep them together. This makes it easier for Nationwide to separate and process them.
- Fold the cheque and form neatly to fit comfortably within the envelope.
Sub-heading 3.2: Addressing the Envelope
This is a crucial point, and it's important to send it to the correct address. While some sources might list a general head office, Nationwide generally advises sending cheques to your local branch.
-
Option 1: Your Local Nationwide Branch (Recommended for Personal Accounts)
- The most reliable method for personal account cheque deposits is to send it to your local Nationwide branch. You can find the address of your nearest branch using the "Branch Finder" tool on the Nationwide website.
- Example Address Format: [Your Local Branch Name] Nationwide Building Society [Branch Street Address] [Town/City] [Postcode]
-
Option 2: Nationwide Business Savings Address (Only for Business Savings Accounts)
- If you are depositing a cheque into a Nationwide Business Savings account, there is a specific postal address: Business Savings Nationwide Building Society Kings Park Road Moulton Park Northampton NN3 6NW
- Only use this address for Business Savings cheques.
-
Your Return Address: Always include your return address on the top left corner of the envelope. This ensures the envelope can be returned to you if there's an issue with delivery.
Sub-heading 3.3: Choosing Your Postage
- First Class or Second Class: For standard cheque deposits, either First Class or Second Class postage is usually sufficient. Consider First Class if you want it to arrive a day or two sooner.
- Recorded Delivery (Optional but Recommended for High Value Cheques): If the cheque is for a significant amount, consider sending it via Recorded Delivery (Signed For). This provides proof of postage and proof of delivery, giving you peace of mind.
Step 4: Posting Your Cheque
Once your envelope is sealed and correctly addressed, it's ready for the post box!
 |
- Take your letter to a Royal Mail post box.
- If using Recorded Delivery, you'll need to take it to a Post Office branch to get the proof of postage and tracking number. Keep this tracking number safe!
Step 5: Understanding Clearance Times
After posting, it's natural to wonder when your money will be available. Thanks to the Image Clearing Scheme, cheque processing is much faster than it used to be.
Sub-heading 5.1: General Clearance Times for Posted Cheques
- For cheques paid in by post, you'll typically be able to access your money 2 working days after Nationwide receives your cheques.
- Please factor in postage time. This means the actual time from posting to funds being available will be longer than two days.
- You might see the amount "pending" in your account online or via the app before it becomes fully available for withdrawal.
Sub-heading 5.2: What "Cleared" Means
- When a cheque is "cleared," it means the funds have been successfully transferred from the payer's bank account to your Nationwide account, and they are now available for you to use.
- If a cheque is returned unpaid by the drawer's bank (the person who wrote the cheque), Nationwide will notify you, usually by letter.
Step 6: Monitoring Your Account
It's a good habit to keep an eye on your Nationwide account after posting the cheque.
Tip: Read at your natural pace.
- Online Banking/Mobile App: Log in to your Nationwide Internet Bank or use their mobile banking app to check your account balance and transaction history. You'll typically see the cheque amount appear as a "pending" or "uncleared" deposit before it becomes fully available.
- Contacting Nationwide: If the cheque hasn't appeared or cleared within the expected timeframe (allowing for postage), you can contact Nationwide's customer service via phone, online chat, or by visiting a branch. Have your account details and any proof of postage (if you used recorded delivery) ready.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to posting a cheque to Nationwide:
How to fill out a cheque for a Nationwide deposit?
You need to write the date, the payee's name (your name as on your Nationwide account or "Self"), the amount in figures and words, and your signature. On the back, include your Nationwide account holder name(s), your signature, the date, a contact number, and your Nationwide sort code and account number.
How to find the correct Nationwide address for posting a cheque?
For personal accounts, it's best to send it to your local Nationwide branch. Use their "Branch Finder" online to get the specific address. For Nationwide Business Savings accounts, use the dedicated address: Business Savings, Nationwide Building Society, Kings Park Road, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6NW.
How long does it take for a cheque to clear when posted to Nationwide?
Once Nationwide receives your cheque by post, it typically takes 2 working days for the funds to clear and become available in your account. Remember to factor in the time it takes for the cheque to reach Nationwide via post.
Tip: A slow skim is better than a rushed read.
How to ensure my cheque isn't rejected by Nationwide?
Ensure all details on the front of the cheque are correct (date, payee, amount in words and figures matching, signature). On the back, clearly write your Nationwide account holder name(s), signature, date, contact number, and your full Nationwide sort code and account number. Using the Nationwide "Paying in cheques form" is highly recommended.
How to track a cheque sent to Nationwide by post?
If you used Royal Mail Recorded Delivery (Signed For), you will have a tracking number. You can use this number on the Royal Mail website to track the delivery status of your envelope. Standard First or Second Class post does not offer tracking.
How to deposit multiple cheques to Nationwide by post?
You can deposit multiple cheques in one envelope. It's highly recommended to use the Nationwide "Paying in cheques form" and list each cheque's amount separately, then provide the total number of cheques and total value. Endorse each cheque individually on the back with your Nationwide account details.
How to confirm Nationwide has received my posted cheque?
If you used Recorded Delivery, you'll see a delivery confirmation via the Royal Mail tracking. Otherwise, the best way to confirm receipt and processing is to check your Nationwide online banking or mobile app for the pending deposit.
How to deal with a lost cheque sent to Nationwide?
If you've sent a cheque and it hasn't appeared in your account after a reasonable time (allowing for postage and clearance), first check if you used Recorded Delivery for tracking. If not, contact the person or organisation who issued the cheque and explain the situation. They may need to cancel the original cheque and issue a new one. Also, inform Nationwide of the missing cheque.
How to get a Nationwide "Paying in cheques form"?
You can typically download and print the "Paying in cheques form" (SF341) directly from the Nationwide website's help or payments section. Alternatively, you might be able to pick one up from a Nationwide branch.
How to contact Nationwide about a cheque deposit query?
You can contact Nationwide customer service via their telephone banking lines, through their online chat service available via the Internet Bank, or by visiting your local Nationwide branch. Have your account details and any relevant cheque information ready.
 |
